Negative Return

Not so long ago at work me and some colleagues gathered around a computer monitor and we witnessed the live lift off of the space shuttle Endeavor as it embarked on its final mission to space. As I watched the countdown and lift off of the Endeavor something struck me as it continued to climb, leaving earth behind and making its way on its intended mission. At one point mission control said the following:

Mission Control to Endeavor: Negative Return

Endeavor to Mission Control: Roger. Negative Return

As the mission continued the commentator on the video explained that this meant the Endeavor had reached a point where it could no longer return to the Kennedy Space Center. I was struck and fascinated by this phrase, "Negative Return". For the shuttle to return to where it came from would produce disastrous consequences. My mind immediately made a faith correlation best described in the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Colossians. In chapter 3, the first 17 verses read as follows (ESV),

"1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self  with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I love the phrasing in verses 1 and 2 about seeking those things that are from above and setting the mind on things above - and NOT on the earth. And as I read this passage and thought on the phrase "Negative Return" I came up with a simple diagram that is helping me as a Christian. Perhaps it will be helpful to you.

1. Deliverance - verse 1 - "If then you have been raised with Christ..." As a Christian I have been "raised with Christ" which speaks of being delivered. From what? So much! But specifically as it pertains to this passage - sin. In all its forms found in the earth. More on this below.

2. Direction - verse 1 again - "...seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." As a Christian I have a certain direction that I should be focused on as one who has been delivered - and that direction is toward all things above - where Christ is!

3. Determination - verse 2 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Just because, as a Christian, I have been delivered and I have a new direction doesn't mean it happens automatically. It takes purpose to pursue things above and not on this earth. It requires a "Negative Return" perspective. I can't go back. I am on a mission that is leading me out of this earth. But even determination isn't enough to accomplish this.

4. Death - verse 3 - "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." I think this perspective escapes the Christian far too often. I know it does me. I have died. To put it differently, as Corinthians does, I am a "new creation." And as a new creation I may be in the world, but not of it. I am in pursuit of something eternal. Old things are passed away and all things have become new. I must be dead to self.

5. Destination - verse 4 - "When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." There is so much here. My life is no longer my own. I have been bought with a price. Christ is now my life. He bought me with His life. Now He is my life. And I will have a destination with Him in glory forever. This changes everything while I am making my way from here to there.

6. Distinction - verses 5-9 - "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you..." As a Christian there are certain things that need to die in me. I cannot return to them. These are things that are distinctly of this earth:

* sexual immorality

* impurity

* improper passion

* evil desire

* covetousness

* idolatry

* anger

* wrath

* malice

* slander

* obscene talk

* lying

These are things that pertained to the old life and the old self. They are distinctly of this earth and I need a "Negative Return" perspective on these things. To return would produce disastrous consequences. And just as the list above is distinctly of this earth, the passage goes on to list things that are distinctly not of this earth but are things from above and are traits of God's chosen ones who are holy and beloved (verses 12-15):

* a compassionate heart

* kindness

* humility

* meekness

* patience

* forgiving

* loving 

* peaceful 

* thankful 

* unified

* wise

The list is not exhaustive but these traits are indicative of one who has "put off" the things of the earth and "put on" the things of Heaven. So, daily, for me and for you, it all comes down to one thing:

7. Decision - verse 10-11,  16-17. Each day we must, "put on the new self" and be "renewed in knowledge..." We must resemble our Creator, Savior, and Lord. We must seek to be "free" - letting Christ be our "all." We must let the "Word of Christ dwell" in us "richly." We must sing, praise, and pray. And everything we do we must do "in the name of the Lord Jesus." When He is our Lord, and these things are true, and we decide to put off the things of the earth - never to return - and put on the things that are from above then we will know what it means to be Christian. And the world will know what it means to be Christian. And the world could use a little more of that as we try to make our way out of it.

Peace.

What Will You Leave Behind?

Death and taxes - it's been said that those are the only guarantees in life. Truth is, death is a certainty. Unless, of course, Christ decides enough is enough and returns before death can sting us. But if we do draw our last breath here, what will we leave behind? What type of legacy will we pass on? Some of us have a broad reach. Some of us a shorter reach, but no less significant. Your legacy may be to pour into your children, and perhaps they will grow up to have a broad reach that affects millions through some calling, gift, or talent. But it started with a father or a mother whose reach seemed small, but was indeed great in the long run. We shouldn't compare ourselves among ourselves. It is indeed unwise. But we should all look to discover what it is that God has blessed us with or called us to do, and make the most of it today so that tomorrow we won't be filled with regret - asking ourselves, "I wonder what might have been...?" And we shouldn't keep it to ourselves.

I recently read the amazing story of a lady named Vivian Maier. She was a nanny in Chicago in the 50's and 60's. She never married and lived a very unassuming life. Nobody would have ever known there was anything special and unique about Vivian if they hadn't discovered boxes and boxes of over 30,000 film negatives upon her death. And what a discovery it is turning out to be. Even though she never lived to see it, she is now being heralded as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - street photographer ever. If you don't know what street photography is, you're missing out. This type of photography captures real life moments - nothing staged or fake. Yet they are moments that will take your breath away - a child laughing while they splash in a puddle or an elderly woman staring deeply back at you. They could be beautiful, melancholy, dark, simple - but all true life stills. They are pictures of life captured often without the object of the photo even knowing. Her work is astonishing, and experts are just beginning to understand the scope of her work - which is second to none. This was her hidden hobby - her personal passion. It's just something she did, but because of her reclusive lifestyle nobody ever knew about this talent - what she was really great at. Even now a man named John Maloof is going through the tedious task of digitizing all of her photos, with the goal of making her work available to the public via print media and gallery displays. He is the 26 year old Chicago real estate agent who "discovered" her when he purchased the contents of a repossessed storage locker that belonged to the by then deceased Vivian Maier. What started out as the surprise find of a lifetime chronicled in his blog has turned into a life-altering venture of introducing the world to Vivian's art. A company called Kickstarter is gathering funds to tell her story in documentary form - "Finding Vivian Maier". I look forward to its release.

Vivian died at 83 in 2009 never knowing that her secret life's work is now amazing the world. I think this is both incredible and sad. Incredible to have such a gift and passion that can be weighed and measured - with the capability of benefiting and inspiring millions; but sad that no one knew this while she was alive. Just think if she had shared this with the world while she was alive! Who knows why she lived her whole life with no one knowing her and knowing this about her, but what a legacy she has left! Just think how much greater that legacy could have been had she shared this gift out loud. Or maybe she didn't have the support or encouragement she needed and therefore, she alone knew of her gift and passion. But I think the lesson here for all of us is to embrace the gift of life that God has given us, and with that gift pursue what He has put within us to do. A calling. A talent. A passion. Share it. Live it. Love it. Don't settle. Don't compromise. Don't hide it. Don't be ashamed or fearful. Take a risk. Step out in faith. If there are obstacles in the way, by God's grace and persistence - overcome them and use them as stepping stones to get to the next level. And once there, really live joyfully and peacefully - knowing that you are doing what God gave you to do. It may take time, but don't give up, and don't hide away. While there is a happy ending to this story that will live on forever, it is sad to think that, even though she created such amazing art, no one knew while she was alive. No one really knew her. Find what it is God has blessed you with, and share it, and leave behind a legacy - not to be accidentally discovered, but a legacy left on purpose. Something you knowingly built during your life that will live on even after you are gone, and, in the words of Russell Crowe's character in Gladiator, something that will "echo in eternity." What legacy are you working on building even now in your life, for your family, your friends, your community, your church, your country, your world? I know I was challenged by this story of Vivian Maier. I hope you are too. And I hope you get to check out her amazing work! Peace.

How Would You Like To Have This Guys Job?

I mean, the TSA guys one hand is on the other guys love handle, and his other hand is, well...just look at his face (pic below). He's thinking, "Why did I quite my last job?" I'm just really glad he's not grinning like an idiot. But that is funny right there - unless you're the other guy. What's even better is Ron Paul's legislation that he submitted submitted before the house which would require all political figures to be subjected to this type of treatment at the airport, photographed, videotaped, along with the full body scan treatment - all made available to the same public that is already required to go through this crap. In Ron's words, "Enough is enough!" Man, I love that guy. Ron Paul, that is. Not the groping goof ball below. In the immortal words of Earl Pitts, "Wake up, America!"

Faith Over Football

I love the NFL. It's my favorite sport (although baseball is a close second). My wife knows that come Sunday I will be spending my day of rest camping in front of the TV (with my laptop - fantasy football is my second favorite, um, sport). This, of course, is after having gone to church and eaten brunch. I do have my priorities. But 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM will show as busy on my calendar on Sundays from September to January. Oh yeah, and let's not forget about Mondays and even some Thursdays. I mean, when I hear the Monday Night Football theme song by Hank Williams, Jr., my heart starts racing (although Faith Hill's "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night" theme song for the Sunday night game is growing on me too).

I...Love...Football.

Last year, I had Frank Gore on one of my fantasy football teams. He is the starting running back for the San Fransisco 49ers. He missed some time last year due to injury, so I picked up his back up (handcuff is what we like to call it in fantasy football speak) to spot start while Gore was out. The name of his back up? Glen Coffee. He did really well for me while Gore was out. I started thinking, this rookie is going to make hay one day in the league. At that time, I didn't know much about Glen Coffee. I just needed a running back to start while Gore was injured. As of this week, I know a lot more about him and for good reason. He was a stand out star as the starting running back at Alabama taking the Tide to the SEC title game his Junior year. He rushed for almost 1400 yards that year. He decided to skip his senior year and declare himself eligible for the NFL draft. Money and fame awaited. He got drafted in the third round by the 49ers. He missed out on the Tide winning the national championship in what would have been his senior year of college during his rookie year in the NFL. But, hey, he had the money, right. And it was only a matter of hard work and time for him to hit the lime light. But money wasn't all that he had. He had a burden growing on him daily. That burden had to do with something that took place in Coffee's life during his time with the Crimson Tide in 2007 - he became a Christian and was baptized. Shortly thereafter, he began to accept speaking engagements to share his faith with others through his notoriety as a football star. But that was not enough. He tried faith with football in his life (which is something Tim Tebow of Florida Gator and now Denver Bronco fame is doing even now). But for him, he needed to choose faith over football. In his words, he was "wrestling" with the need to leave football behind - as a 23 year old budding star with even more money and fame surely ahead of him. Instead, he announced his retirement from the NFL this week to pursue "the will of God." He believes that God has another plan for him instead of football, and he is now on the path to pursuing that plan. His first step is to go back to Alabama and finish his undergraduate degree, and then possibly go to graduate school for ministry training. He said, "A lot of people aren't going to understand and realize because they don't have the wisdom to understand. Their eyes aren't open like mine are open. True happiness is glorifying God and glorifying Christ. That's what true happiness is...And for me, that wasn't the NFL. That wasn't where I needed to be." He is now going to pursue some ministry, but he's not yet sure what. He says opportunities will come. He just wants to surrender all and follow Christ.

I have a lot of respect for this type of decision. Yesterday, I got together with some brothers and we talked about this. I asked the question whether it was a tougher decision to leave behind money and fame when you've already had more of it at 23 then most folks get in a lifetime, or to have nothing and make this kind of surrender. It brought up good discussion, and surrendering to God's will for ones life is just as big deal for an all world athlete who has everything than for an unknown man or woman with little to their name. One thing is true, the whole world knows what he did, why he did it, and God is getting the glory. I hope and pray God uses him and protects him in whatever ministry God has for him. And I pray you and I are already pursuing God and His plan for our lives, and, if not, be willing to make the best choice we could ever make in order to do so.

I'm sad I can't draft Glen Coffee for my fantasy team from a football perspective, but from an eternal perspective I'm glad we're on the same team.

Full story: Glen Coffee explains choosing faith over NFL football | al.com

Living A Trash-Free Life

Could you and I live a trash-free life? It can be done, and I can prove it below. I know it's hard to believe, but it's actually not as hard to do as you might think. As with most things in life, it all comes down to choices. Conscious choices. Or, better yet, conscientious choices.

The average person creates an average of 4.5 pounds of trash a day. In America alone, we throw away almost 250 million tons of trash a year - with only 33 percent being recycled. Imagine how much money could be saved and how much better we could treat the earth that God created if we became more determined to not just throw everything away - or, even worse, litter. Imagine the benefit this would have - not just on the environment, but even on the economy. Think about jobs this could create. Renewable energy. The list goes on. Because just about everything can be recycled these days, or even better - re-purposed. One mans trash is truly another mans treasure, and I've written on re-purposing before so I won't revisit that now. But sticking to the idea of recycling - I've noticed week to week (since becoming a home owner in July of 2008) that the recycle bin we put by the road is completely full and our trash bin is almost empty (we actually have two trash bins and seldom use both anymore). It's getting down to one bag of trash every two weeks, and we know even that is too much. Now, there has been some conscious thought put into that concept over the last two plus years, but the good thing is - it has started to become routine. We really don't put much thought into it at all anymore. We recycle as much as we can, but we know there is still room for improvement. I know this because of Amy and Adam Korst of Dallas, Oregon.

The Korst's made a choice to live as trash-free as possible for a whole year. To do so they had to make sure that what they bought could be recycled, or composted (I'm sure I will write more on conscientious purchasing at another time). Then they made sure they recycled as much as they could - almost everything. The end result? Let's just say it could all fit into one medium size box - 75 scraps of trash total. Among the scraps of trash that could not be recycled were eight used razor blades, a burned out light bulb, two Theraflu pouches, and a broken Christmas ornament. This all added up to almost four pounds of trash - for the year. Not the 4.5 pounds of trash the average American generates a day (which is almost 1650 pounds of trash for the year by the way). But they generated four pounds of trash FOR THE YEAR. They are my heroes. And they are an excellent example for all of us.

In recent weeks, we've decided to stop using sandwich bags for lunches and we purchased plastic, washable, reusable lunch bins with separate food compartments in it to take to work every day. We've also stopped getting and using plastic bags from Target and Kroger. We use reusable shopping bags. And we no longer use those same plastic bags for our, um, pets you-know-what - which used to get thrown in the trash bins (poor garbage truck driver!). Instead, we use organic litter that flushes down the commode. OK, OK - that might be information overload. :) But the principle is the same - what decisions and choices can we make in reference to recycling? It's not hard. Call Rumpke or Waste Management, and they'll drop off a huge recycling bin at your house that contains a sticker on it of codes and examples of what can (and should!) be recycled. Then, purchase recyclable products. And do it - RECYCLE. Make your trash bin lonely. It's really not hard, and it's the right thing to do. Remember - you can recycle almost everything! Erin and I are very conscious and determined in this and other areas like this, and we long for the day when having these types of conversations with people doesn't cause them to look at us like we have two heads. We would rather find like-minded individuals who simply care about doing the right thing. And shouldn't that be the Christian response? I'm positive some folks clicked on this thinking I would be writing a spiritual post about ridding our life of sin, but in one sense - that's exactly what I'm doing. Want proof? James 4:17, "To him who knows to do what is good and does not do it - to him it is sin." This certainly qualifies.

How about it? Get a medium sized box and set it aside for those random things that can't be recycled - and do the right thing with all the rest - recycle, recycle, recycle. And you may end up needing to do what we need to do even now - get a second recycle bin!

For more on The Korst's please visit the following article:

Couple lives nearly trash-free for a year - Green House - USATODAY.com

And Now Back To Our Regular Programming...

Sorry I've been away a bit from the old blog. I've been busy (finally) setting up my office/recording studio. It's done! I'm pumped. Anyway, I'll get back on track with the posts you're used to seeing - as well as a new type of post - acoustic demo cuts of songs I am working on. Looking forward to it! Peace. - LMB

7 Leadership Lessons Learned from Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert’s Embarrassing Letter about LeBron James | Live Intentionally

Excellent take (IMO) from Living Intentionally about the Cleveland Cavaliers owner's response to Lebron's leaving. Good lessons here.

7 Leadership Lessons Learned from Cleveland Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert’s Embarrassing Letter about LeBron James | Live Intentionally

Please, God

Say a prayer. This needs to stop.

New cap, ships could contain Gulf oil leak by Monday - Green House - USATODAY.com

Help Rebuild Three Schools in Haiti

Recently a good friend of mine was able to go to Haiti to offer aid and support to that devastated country. I would love so much to be able to do that. I followed his blog religiously while he was there (http://thehaitiannation.blogspot.com/). Haiti is in dire need of virtually everything, and it was such a poor country lacking any type of infrastructure to begin with. There are a lot of ministries and agencies doing a great job with relief right now, but there is still so much that needs to be done.

I read Relevant Magazine religiously. I listen to the Relevant Podcast religiously. I listen to the Relevant Drop religiously. I listen to RelevantFM religiously. In short, I love all that the Relevant Media Group does. Right now they are leading an initiative to rebuild three schools in Haiti, and it will only cost $50,000 total to do so. That's only $10 per person if 5,000 people give, and Relevant Magazine has way more subscribers than that. I wanted to pass on the article below for you to consider. Just don't go to Blockbuster or Starbucks a couple of times and give to this opportunity instead. It will be a blessing to you and the people of Haiti.

RELEVANT Magazine - God. Life. Progressive Culture. - Help Rebuild Three Schools in Haiti

Anticipation For The King

At 9 PM EST on Thursday July 8th millions of people will tune in to ESPN to see where "The King" - NBA free agent LeBron James - will play basketball next year. In a broadcast called "The Decision" LeBron will take a one hour time slot to announce which team he has chosen to help him become "the first billion dollar athlete." Apart from the World Cup this has been the most followed and anticipated sports news story in the world. Basically, LeBron has been holding out for the most money and the best chance to win a title. It would appear that LeBron has three choices: 1) Get the most money ever; 2) Get a lot of money and find a team ready to win immediately (which may only be for one year, but it's not a guarantee); or 3) Go to a team and make it his own and make it a winner - thus securing his legend - regardless of whether or not he makes the most money (which he no doubt would anyway). I recently read an interesting article on this very subject on the New York Times Freakonomics blog. It is a good read and worth checking out. For the record MJ did number 3 back in the day with the Bulls, and the money certainly came for him as well as the legend. Certainly LeBron James is a marketing force. But I don't know if he's more interested in the money or in a legend/legacy. He appears to be trying for instant success rather than doing it the old fashioned way (again - ala MJ). All that said, the thing that I think most strikes me about all of this this is the media frenzy and circus that surrounds LeBron James - "The King." The anticipation is palpable. No matter what he decides, I will still enjoy watching him play.

Even as I've followed this story I couldn't help but wonder about another King. Of course the King that I'm referring to is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible in many places calls him "the King of kings" (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16;). I wonder, do I have as much anticipation for him in my daily life - especially for his return?  


James 5:7-9 says, "Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"


1 Peter 4:7 says, "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 


Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”


Hebrews 10:37 says, “Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”


1 John 2:18 says, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”


1 John 2:28 says, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”


1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 says, “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord . . . . we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”


Titus 2:11-13 says, "“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”


And there are other texts to consider as well (1 John 3:2; Colossians 3:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4).


The point is - Christ will return. It is prophesied. It is imminent. But is it anticipated in your life and mine? If so, I certainly hope it blows the anticipation surrounding King James out of the water. 


Even so come Lord Jesus.

Have We Already Forgotten?

I blogged about the oil spill quite a bit in recent weeks, but I confess I have said very little about it in recent days. I have not thought or prayed about this horrible situation as I was not so long ago. The article below highlights that I am not alone. It contains humbling statistics concerning how quickly our short attention spans have moved away from this tragedy on to whatever else is the latest news (like the latest failed Bachelor relationship).

Are We Losing Interest in the Oil Spill? [STATS]

This isn't going away any time soon. How I wish that it were different. How I wish that I could make a difference. For now the best thing I know to do is to continue to raise awareness. Because I'm tired of seeing this:

"The Elusive God Particle"

In my various readings recently - be it scripture or otherwise - I've come across a lot of texts dealing with creation. As a person of faith, I do not wrestle with issues of origins - the universe, the earth, mankind, wildlife, plant life, etc. I have a foundation and a framework tried and true that answers enough questions for me, and when I do not find the answers that I may want I find God's sovereignty is bigger than God's silence on a matter. I find it to be sufficient, because I trust enough of what I do know about God - his character, his name, his existence, his word - to remove all doubt about what I do not know. That is faith according to Hebrews 11:1. Nor do I get upset over scientific or inner-faith debate and dialog over the young earth/old earth argument. In my mind either way is amazing and miraculous (although I lean toward a young earth because of how specific the original language is on the matter). Don't fool yourself - to be an evolutionist in the Darwinian sense requires faith as well. In that way it is quite religious. But it is a religion that, in large part, goes against the teaching of the Bible. And since I believe that faith is a gift from God and not from man, I have faith in God in matters of the physical just as I have faith in God in matters of the spiritual. I do not have that kind of faith in something man-made and man-centered. I know this is a lightning rod topic, but I refuse to fight about it because I think much can be learned through science, and I embrace science. But science has limitations. Faith does not. And it is important to recognize that where science ends faith has to begin. It is also important to recognize that true faith and true science need not and will not contradict.


I was reading recently in the UK's Telegraph about the Large Hadron Collider. If you are not familiar with it let me explain. It is a particle accelerator being used for experimentation taking place right now in Geneva. It is the world's most powerful "atom smasher" which is buried 100 metres under the French-Swiss border. Here scientists are trying to find the "elusive God particle" otherwise known as the 'Higgs boson'. Finding this Higgs boson is the main goal of the LHC. It is a quest to find a subatomic particle which has never been discovered even though this quest is in its fifth decade. It is believed to be the reason why we are all here. Noble laureate Leon Lederman is the one who came up with this theoretical boson ("the God particle"). He believes its discovery could unify our understanding of the universe and help us "know the mind of God" (at least he mentions God). I'm not surprised that this particle has not been found. Genesis teaches that God created all things "ex nihilo" - or, out of nothing. He spoke the worlds into existense. But even if it is found, my faith would not be shattered. Rather, it would be even more affirmed. It would truly be a great triumph for science, but all it would show to me is just one more layer into the depth of God's power to create something as magnificent as our universe and to allow us to discover this. This, in turn, would only serve to give God the glory.


I can't help but think that so many are missing God because they are so consumed with the quest to find his "particle." If one wants to "know the mind of God", one only has to open his word. And in his word he reveals all that is needed to truly know him and his creation. The following are some verses I've read recently on this subject:


Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV) ^"17 Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."


Psalm 135:5-7, 13 (ESV) ^"5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. ⁶ Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. ⁷ He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. ¹³ Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages."


Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV) ^"1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. ⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, ⁵ which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. ⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat."


Romans 1:20 (ESV) ^{20 "}For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." 


A few weeks ago NASA captured the rising sun lighting up the midnight sky. "The International Space Station snapped a particularly beautiful photo of the various layers of our globe's atmosphere with the rising sun peeking out to say hello, while touring over the Greek islands around midnight. NASA's Earth Observatory, which posted the photo, pointed out the polar mesopheric clouds, or 'night-shining' clouds as they called them, which are seen at twilight. Usually the clouds are only lit up by the sun when it's setting, however this particular shot shows the rising sun inking its rays across the low clouds." (image below)


Why would anyone want to find just a particle of God when one can know all of him - through creation; through his son; through his word? I love science, but I love God more. Science is great, but not as great as God. Science is good, but not as good as God. Science is glorious, but not as glorious as God. I would rather spend my next 50 years pursuing him than a particle that most likely does not exist.

What Would MacGyver Do?

You haven't heard of Jonathan Metz - until now. Just a normal guy in his early thirties with a pet dog, a solid job, a fiance, and a love for softball. One day he puts a snack in the microwave and runs downstairs to check on his furnace. He ends up getting his arm caught in it. Nothing he tries to get it out works. He actually thinks to himself, "What would MacGyver do?" Well, after 18 hours, his options were few. His arm was cut up and swollen and starting to smell. Infection was certain and would surely spread and kill him. He was left with one option - he had to cut off his right arm. But could he do that? Well, according to the article below - he did. And he lived.

Cutting off own arm was ‘surreal,’ says man - Health - More health news - msnbc.com

It's hard to know what you or I would do in that circumstance. Somehow the body and mind seems to find the necessary willpower and adrenaline to do something this extreme in order to survive. It's an unfortunate and shocking story, but I'm sure Jonathan Metz would tell you he'd rather be alive without a right arm then dead.

This reminded me of a parable in Matthew's gospel. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus is giving the sermon on the mount. He says in these verses,

²⁷ "You have heard that it was said,'You shall not commit adultery.' ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."

Here he is focusing on adultery and lust in particular and sin in general. This passage gives us a blatant statement from Jesus on how to handle sin. He equates sin with an offending member of the body that must be removed in order to be saved. If sin were an offensive eye it must be torn out and even thrown away in order to live. If sin were an offensive right hand it must be cut off and, again, thrown away. The mental pictures of such actions is horrid. But what should be even more horrid is how offensive sin is in the eyes of a holy God. How do you and I see sin? Do we see it as God sees it? Are we actively looking to literally amputate sin and obliterate it from our lives? That is the message of this parable. There is no other way to deal with sin. It must be completely and violently eradicated from our lives in order for us to live as God would have us live.

I don't know what MacGyver would have done if he had his right arm caught in a furnace, but I do know what Jesus tells us to do when it comes to sin - cut it out before it kills. Need further confirmation? James 1:15 has this to say, "Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." 


Sin kills. Period.

What If It Was Your Home?

How much thought have you given to the BP oil disaster? How much prayer for the people affected by the worst oil spill in our nations history? This has really weighed on me. I feel like there is little I can do, and this frustrates me. But I write about it almost every day. One company's greed and irresponsibility is costing lives, livelihood, with billions of dollars being paid by the pensions of innocent people. 11 workers lost their lives in the initial explosion. Another man committed suicide today. Not to mention the tragedy of the wildlife being devastated by this symbol of corporate, government, and consumer greed. I'm all about a business being successful, but not at the expense of ethics and responsibility. I'm all for government aid during a crisis like this, but not in the form of a shakedown. What a cluster.

It is really hard for us to enter in to a situation like this - to understand, because we are not there. It is not affecting most of us (yet). But what if it was your home - my home? What if you could visualize this in a more personal way? Well a website has dedicated itself to just that.

http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com

I challenge you to go there for a visit. First, look at the map chronicling the spread of the oil spill in the gulf as it currently stands. Then, type in your address, and see just how much your home and surrounding communities would be affected by this disaster. It is sobering. Observe:

(The Gulf)

(My home)

What if it was your home?

As If This Story Couldn't Get Any Stranger

PETA has found religion! The extreme animal rights group has offered the Solid Rock Church in Monroe, OH grant money to rebuild the "King of kings" statue (you may have known it as "Touchdown Jesus" or "Big Butter Jesus"). They would want the statue built with Jesus holding a lamb with the inscription, "Blessed are the merciful. Go vegan." Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals. But I am a carnivore, and there is nothing biblically wrong with that. Nor is there anything wrong with being a vegitarian or vegan. But one side should not impose its will on the other side. I find this story to be a bit funny, because I would have never thought that PETA had such a religious stance in their agenda. I learn something new everyday.

PETA offers to help rebuild 'Touchdown Jesus' - with a catch | cincinnati.com | Cincinnati.Com:

I couldn't help but laugh at Pastor Darlene Lawrence's response to this offier, ''We're not interested. We raise cattle. We would never build a statue with stipulations that we would have to advertise for PETA." For my part, I just hope they are raising their cattle ethically. If you want to know what that doesn't look like, then you need to watch Food, Inc. It is indeed eye opening, thought provoking, shocking, and sad. The average American consumer I fear either has no idea or care as to how they get the food that they get. I will always endorse buying organic and supporting local farmers. My two cents.

Anyway, this story about the statue is not going to go away anytime soon, and the stories that come out of it keep getting stranger and stranger (see my original blog on this topic and subsequent comments for past stories).

I leave you with this image below for your viewing pleasure. It is the PETA visualization of what they want their statue to look like (I must say the Jesus part is a drastic improvement over the original. Just sayin').

How BP's Deepwater Horizon Failsafe Failed

This will only take one minute and fifty three seconds of your time, but it's worth watching the technical explanation of how this failure occurred.

How BP's Deepwater Horizon Failsafe Failed

"If the valve fails, the well will not be sealed. There is no backup."

Sobering.

A Little Slice Of Heaven

That's Magnolia Springs, Alabama according to Jamie Hinton who is the volunteer fire chief at the Fish River Marlow Fire Department. This little hamlet is in the Gulf coast and it is in great danger of being contaminated by the Deep Horizon oil catastrophe. The oil threatens to invade this quiet coastal town that is a throw back to the way things used to be and should be again. The spill seeks to gain entrance to this community via the mouth of the Magnolia River at Weeks Bay - threatening the 19 federally-protected species and marshland that exists there. It's a tiny town - maybe a thousand residents. It's not easy to get to - the mail arrives daily by boat. But to Chief Hinton it's home - "a little slice of heaven" in his words. So he's going to fight for it to protect it from the inevitable contamination that is on it's way. The federal government hardly knows this place exists. BP stopped by and put up a boom that the local residents warned would not last. It didn't. They haven't been back. These folks appear to be on their own. But the chief has a plan - he's going to line up spud barges and put booms on both sides of the barges as a barrier to keep the oil out. He even goes so far to say that if he has to he will "stand chest-deep in the waters of the bay, linked arm in arm with my neighbors" - if that’s what it takes to stop the encroaching oil from spoiling the sublime latticework of bogs and bayous that he calls home." That kind of love and dedication is admirable, humbling, and challenging. He recognizes the danger that is just outside his waters, and he has a plan to deal with it - to keep it out.


Anymore that would seem to be a foreign mindset in this 21st century version of America. I wonder just how many Americans are even remotely concerned about what's happening just off our shores. When it's all said and done, millions will be effected in a variety of devastating ways - physically, economically, topographically - you name it. I would that we all had this type of spirit. It is the type of spirit that made this country great, and the lack of it is turning us into nothing but a bunch of mindless consumers, bent on pursuing our own pleasures no matter the cost to anyone around us. We are so completely disconnected from the real world around us as we immerse ourselves in technology that diverts our attention away from much more important things. When I read this, I could see my grandpa doing something like this. I was certainly challenged to examine what my response would be to my community if impending doom was on my doorstep. To make it a little more significant, I was also challenged to consider whether or not I have this type of mindset toward sin. Sin seeks to creep its way into my life in a variety of ways. What barriers do I have in place to keep it out? How am I utilizing the resources God has given me to protect my mind, my heart, my home, my community, and my church from the blackness of sin? 


May I be the kind of citizen that this man is for this country - in this world. But even more important - may I be the kind of citizen that I need to be for my King and His Kingdom - being vigilant to not allow sin to creep in and making a blight of all that is beautiful. This is not my home. I am a sojourner on my way to a city whose builder and maker is God. But I want to be an exemplary tenant while here - helping to make it a little slice of heaven - until I experience the complete perfection of eternity with the Creator of this world and the one to come.

Stop The Madness!!!

Stupid is as stupid does. No wonder the Florida Marlins have no fans - it takes a stunt like this to even get anyone to show up. I love the part in the article below where the players had to wear ear plugs. That would not be good.

Seriously, though, I better never go to GABP and hear a vuvuzela. That's the quickest way I can think of to drive fans away (apart from a horrible bullpen).

Vuvuzela craze spreads to baseball | Sports | Reuters

The Stained Earth

For some, only seeing is believing. So I thought I would try to help with that (in the context of the BP "oilpocalypse").

Or watch this simulation of the potential scenarios of oil travel courtesy of the NCAR - the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Astonishing.

Or else wait for the Pixar movie. Maybe that will get our attention. But it will probably be too late by then. 

Anyway, sorry to disturb you from your Starbucks latte and IPad.

For more on this, check out:

The Stained Earth, Courtesy of BP

When All Else Fails...

Now don't get me wrong - to have lawmakers in the 2010 version of America propose a day of prayer for divine intervention concerning this epic oil spill and the devastating consequences that it's having on literally everything in the gulf coast is, well, nothing short of miraculous. But doesn't it seem that we turn to prayer as a last resort - when all else fails - instead of a first response? There is a lesson here to be sure for all of us.

Anyway, God help us - because President Obama seems to be too busy golfing and BP CEO Tony Hayward is too busy yachting. God, on the other hand, is never too busy.

Louisiana lawmakers propose prayer to stop oil disaster - CNN.com